At a special meeting of the City's Parks and Environment Committee in January, 2008, six climate change adaptation experts delivered the latest research on climate change and talked about the expected impacts of climate change on Toronto. The experts also made recommendations on adaptation priorities and measures.

The experts agree that Toronto will be affected by climate change in a number of ways, including more frequent and severe weather events, extreme heat, urban flooding, drought, and the introduction of new and invasive species. They also agree that action is needed in a broad number of areas to protect human health, our environment and our economy.

Lawson Oates, Director, Toronto Environment Office kicked off the meeting with a brief overview of the City's activities related to climate change adaptation.

Each of the expert panel members then spoke about the impacts of climate change on the City of Toronto, and recommended adaptation priorities and actions.

The climate adaptation experts were:

Dr. David Pearson
Co-Chair Ontario Expert Panel on Climate Adaptation and Professor, Laurentian University
Dr. Pearson provided an overview of the anticipated impacts of climate change on the City of Toronto and its implications. He also discussed the activities of the Ontario Expert Panel on Climate Adaptation as it relates to Toronto.

Presentation - Strategies for Adapting to Climate Change in Toronto (PDF 1.3 MB)

Darrel Danyluk, P. Eng.
Chair, Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerablity Committee, Engineers Canada
Mr. Danyluk discussed the impacts of climate change as it relates to infrastructure. He chairs a national committee which is developing engineering protocols to assess infrastructure vulnerability to climate change.

Presentation - Adaptation of Infrastructure to Address Impacts of a Changing Climate
(PDF 126 KB)

Don Haley, P. Eng.
Water Management Technical Advisor, Climate Change, Watershed Management Division, Toronto Region Conservation Authority
Mr. Haley discussed the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and described the Toronto Region Conservation Authority's work in predicting and preventing the flooding associated with severe weather.

Presentation - Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Development (PDF 533 KB)

Mark Yakabuski
President, Insurance Bureau of Canada
Mr. Yakabuski provided the insurance industry's perspective on extreme weather events.

Presentation - Adapting to Climate Change:
The Insurance Industry's Role (PDF 196 KB)

Don MacIver
Adaptation and Impacts Research Group, Environment Canada
Mr. MacIver outlined the latest scientific research on the environmental, social, and economic risks of climate change in the GTA.

Presentation - Adaptation and Impacts Research Group, Environment Canada
(PDF 3 MB)

Dr. Monica Campbell
Manager, Toronto Public Health
Dr. Campbell discussed the anticipated effects of climate change on the health of Torontonians and further actions to be considered to protect public health.

Presentation - Protecting Human Health in Toronto as the Climate Changes (PDF 826 KB)

Back to the City's climate change adaptation page.